A delegation of officials and advisers from the United States (UN) Congress and Senate visited the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus yesterday, 9 September 2026, in the framework of the enhanced strategic cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America in the fields of security, migration and regional stability.
On behalf of the Deputy Ministry, the delegation was briefed by the Director of the Office of the Deputy Minister, Dr Lambros Kaoullas, the Director of the Migration Department, Ms Maria Adamidou, and the Head of the Asylum Service of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Andreas Georgiades.
During the meeting, Cyprus’ model for migration management was presented, with particular reference to strengthened border and Ceasefire Line surveillance, maritime patrols, faster asylum procedures, effective returns, measures to combat criminal migrant-smuggling networks and the development of legal migration pathways aligned with the actual needs of Cyprus’ society and economy.
Particular emphasis was placed on Cyprus’ position as a frontline European Union (EU) member state in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East, as well as on the specific challenges arising from its geographical location, the Ceasefire Line and continued regional instability. The delegation was also briefed on Cyprus’ transition from the passive management of migration flows to a more proactive, structured and credible migration policy.
The discussion also covered the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the contribution of the Cyprus Presidency to the negotiations on the new Returns Regulation, the revised Assisted Voluntary Repatriation Scheme for Families to Syria (SFAS-B’), reforms in the field of legal migration and the ongoing digital transformation of the Deputy Ministry’s services.
Cyprus’ efforts to join the US Visa Waiver Program and the Schengen Area also featured prominently in the discussion. Both constitute important strategic priorities, linked respectively to security and the further deepening of Cyprus-US relations, as well as to Cyprus’ continued European integration.
Cyprus continues to demonstrate that, as a frontline EU member state and a reliable partner of the United States, it is capable of managing complex migration and regional challenges in an effective and responsible manner, while fully respecting the rule of law and its international obligations.
Source: gov.cy
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